Notable: Wilton already has a playoff berth wrapped up, and the Beavers can clinch the district title with a big upset over the Regals, a team that has won 34 straight games. Other than a 15-13 Week 3 escape against West Branch, the Regals have not been pushed; they rank third in Class 1A in both offense (42.8 points per game) and defense (9.0). Mark Ward has passed for 643 yards while Riley Dixon has rushed for 556. Wilton QB Tyler Hetzler has passed for 1,035 yards.

Notable: Simple math: the winner is in control of the 3A-6 race, and this looks like a virtual toss-up. Both teams are on four-game win streaks after falling in Week 2 to top-ranked teams (Solon to Iowa City Regina; Marion to Decorah). Solon has impressive passing game; Rory Siddell has completed 74 percent of his passes for 893 yards. Marion's Trev Beiry has rushed for 712 yards and 11 touchdowns, and also has two interceptions (one for TD). Both defenses are strong, allowing 11 points apiece.

IOWA CITY HIGH at IOWA CITY WEST

Time and site: 7:15 p.m. Thursday, at Trojan Field

TV: KCRG 9.2

Records and rankings: City High is 4-2 overall, 3-1 MVC Mississippi Division; Class 4A No. 2 West is 6-0, 3-0.

Notable: West is favored to end an eight-game losing streak against the Little Hawks and take a huge step toward the Mississippi Division crown. The explosive Trojans lead 4A in scoring at 53.7 points per game, piling up 76 points last week against Dubuque Hempstead. Nate Boland leads the MVC in passing yards (1,368). His main targets are Dondre Alexander (30 catches, 511 yards) and Jeremy Morgan (29 for 501). City High absorbed a 21-0 loss to Dubuque Senior last week, its first loss to the Rams in 20 years. Amos Lavela has rushed for 480 yards and eight touchdowns.

Notable: Xavier leads 4A in winning margin (36.7 points per game), but the Saints have done it against a weak row of opponents  none of which have a winning record. All eyes are starting to focus on the Saints' Week 8 game at Cedar Falls that ought to determine the divisional champion. Xavier wasn't at its best last week, giving up four turnovers, but still managed to pull away and beat Cedar Rapids Washington, 35-13. Reggie Schulte has passed for 1,089 yards and 21 touchdowns. West has become a competitive club  three of the Wahawks' four losses have been decided by six points or less (two in overtime).

Notable: Three weeks ago, this seemed a lost season for Linn-Mar. But the Lions have won two of their last three games  including a 49-6 rout of Dubuque Wahlert  and a postseason slot is a possibility. They host a Prairie team that seemed to have a signature victory in its grasp last week before letting a 21-point halftime lead get away in a 41-30 loss to unbeaten Cedar Falls. Jace Hanna threw for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns in that game. Linn-Mar quarterback Rhys Davis has passed for 550 yards and leads the Lions ground attack with 496.

Notable: Funny how a week can change your outlook. After blasting Cedar Rapids Jefferson 44-0 for its first win, Kennedy still has a spark of hope for making the postseason. A win this week is a near-must, though. Cougars running back Alex Hillyer leads the MVC (and is third in the state in 4A) in rushing at 847 yards. East has eeked through its past two games, by six points apiece against Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Waterloo West. Russell Jones is tied for second in 4A in tackles, with 82 (including 26 for negative yardage).

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON vs. CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON

Time and site: 7:15 p.m. Friday, at Kingston Stadium

Records and rankings: Both teams are 1-5.

Notable: Washington has dropped five straight games, and the Warriors' playoff hopes are dependent on a swift, immediate turnaround. Jason Oney ranks second in the MVC in catches (35 for 440 yards). Jefferson is coming off a discouraging 44-0 loss to previously winless Cedar Rapids Kennedy, and the J-Hawks rank at the bottom of 4A, averaging 7.2 points per game.

Notable: One of the most attractive games on the schedule is this non-district encounter in the state's far northeast corner. It will be a good test for South Winn, which pretty much has put the 1A-4 race to bed and closes with two of the bottom teams in its district. Waukon suffered its first loss of the season last week, a 34-33 heartbreaker at Union. Marcus Weymiller has rushed for 814 yards and 16 touchdowns to lead the Waukon offense, and Austin Troendle has intercepted six passes. Colton Hageman has rushed for 841 yards and 13 TDs for South Winn; Garrett Bohach has passed for 874 yards.

Notable: Mid-Prairie's defense is on a roll, allowing a touchdown or less in five straight games (all victories). The Golden Hawks will have their hands full against the best scoring offense in Class 2A. Mediapolis is averaging 50.3 points per game behind quarterback Jesse Ertz. The Kansas State recruit has completed 65 of 83 passes for 1,165 yards and 20 touchdowns (and no interceptions). Ertz has rushed for 615 yards. Mid-Prairie's Reid Miller has passed for 648 yards, and also has a team-high 61 tackles.

Notable: After winning four straight games (all by shutout), life is about to get much more difficult for Montezuma. Already a playoff qualifier, the Braves close with Pekin, BGM and Lynnville-Sully (a combined 14-4). Monte's top six tacklers all are juniors, led by Kane Barker and Dillon Wilhelm (58 apiece). Mitch Stevens and Zach Gibson have rushed for nearly 1,000 yards between them. Pekin has averaged 52.5 points per game and is led by Quentin Garrels (1,180 yards, 21 TDs).

Notable: Decorah continues to dominate. The Vikings are third in Class 3A in offense (42.5 ppg) and second in defense (6.8 ppg). It has been a true team effort; there are no glossy individual stats. Holt Johansen leads the team in rushing yards, with 454, while Josey Jewell (402 yards) has scored nine touchdowns. Crestwood has won three straight games after starting 0-3.

Notable: Certainly a pivotal game in an unpredictable district. Tipton make a big bounceback from its first loss of the season, squashing North Cedar, 77-18, last week. Alex Wiley has passed for 630 yards and nine touchdowns. Clayton Ridge can put itself in prime position for a league title with a win; the Eagles' lone remaining district game is next week at North Cedar. Defense has driven the Eagles' wagon  they are allowing 9.3 points per game. Kris Ihde has collected 84 tackles.